By Blake Chadwick
After helping Wichita Independent capture a state championship in 2023-24, Zoey Buckner-Franklin is ready for year two at Kapaun Mt. Carmel, where she will reunite with Coach Taylor Mires, her assistant coach from that title-winning season.
“I am in the 11th grade and I play the position of a point guard,” Buckner-Franklin said. “Some of my biggest strengths would be finishing at the rim, my mid-range pull-ups as well as my in court vision and being able to see the floor and reading the defenders to be able to make a good play.”
Mires said Buckner-Franklin’s talent goes beyond her stats.
“Zoey is an incredible basketball player and an even better kid,” Mires said. “She is extremely versatile with next level court vision.”
The junior point guard’s ability to score at all three levels has already made her a household name in Kansas high school basketball. She averaged 22.5 points per game as a freshman and followed that with 23.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and three assists per game last season.
“I have played basketball for about 13 years now,” Buckner-Franklin said. “My personal and team goals this year is to make it further than we did last year and make it to state.”
Her competitive drive is what sets her apart, Mires said.
“What makes Zoey so special is her competitive nature on the floor. There is no challenge she is not ready to take on despite her odds. Zoey has a love for this game that is hard to find,” Mires said.
For Buckner-Franklin, leadership is just as important as scoring.
“For my team this year I will try to be a good leader and be encouraging of all the girls and try to be a positive energy on the court and make sure everyone is comfortable in their role and just on the court in general in knowing what to do,” Buckner-Franklin said.
